Tim Banks is the CEO of APM, a Canada wide construction and property development company, with its head office in Charlottetown, PEI. My family has lived on PEI for over eight generations and I was born at the Prince County Hospital in Summerside, PEI. I am hoping someone will soon develop a blood test to authenticate when you actually become an "Islander" as I am still having problems explaining where I'm from?

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

I think it's time the Government had a serious look at how they operate Prince Edward Island Business Development http://www.peibusinessdevelopment.com/ and consider a model similar to how Nova Scotia have theirs set up http://www.novascotiabusiness.com/en/home/aboutus/default.aspx as Nova Scotia seem to be leading the way at luring new business to their Province and keeping them. Although PEIBD have a great management team they are lacking a "private" Board of Directors like Nova Scotia who have the experience to help guide them and their Minister on how to attract and keep new business here and it's not always incentives that are the determining factors. Have a look at both web sites and see if you can notice a different approach.

NSBI is led by a private-sector board consisting of business leaders from across the province who represent a diverse range of sectors and business interests.Terms of service for board members range from between two and four years. The Chair of the Board serves a three-year term.Doug Hall (Chair) Former Managing Director, RBC Dominion Securities, HalifaxJim Eisenhauer (Vice-Chair) President, ABCO Group Limited, LunenburgScott Travers President/COO Minas Basin Pulp & Power Co. Ltd., HantsportNancy Tower CFO, Emera Inc., Halifax David Arenburg President, Adcor Group of Companies, YarmouthBill BlackFormer President and CEO, Maritime Life, HalifaxSean Murray President and CEO, Advocate Printing and Publishing Co. Limited, PictouLawrence K. Evans, Q.C.Partner, Evans MacIsaacMacMillan, Port HawkesburyJames Kehoe President, Joneljim Group of Companies, SydneyPaul Kent Former COO, xwave, and Senior Vice President, Enterprise and Business Solutions, Bell Aliant, HalifaxStuart Rath President and Director, Stuco Holdings Ltd., TruroIan Thompson Deputy Minister, Department of Economic and Rural Development, HalifaxLois Dyer Mann Former Partner, Caldwell Partners International Inc., Halifax

P.E.I. tries to keep video game developerTuesday, July 7, 2009CBC NewsThe P.E.I. government said it is doing what it can to keep a U.S.-based video game developer from moving to Nova Scotia.Last week, all 23 employees of Longtail Studios working in its Charlottetown office were told they had the option to move to a new office it plans to open in Halifax.“I am concerned with the possible loss of these positions on P.E.I.,” Innovation Minister Allan Campbell told CBC News on Tuesday.“I've asked staff in my department to put together a package that is attractive to the company and that incites them to remain here on P.E.I.,” he said."Why Nova Scotia in particular has targeted this particular company, I'm not sure about that," Campbell said.Longtail Studios, headquartered in New York City, develops character-driven games and content for platforms such as iPhone, iPod Touch, Nintendo Wii and the web.A company representative would not say whether it plans to shut down its office in Charlottetown.The provincial government has a tax credit agreement with Longtail that expires in November. The company also receives subsidies on wages and rent at the Atlantic Technology Centre.Campbell said discussions to keep the company in the province have been continuing for the past several months.Longtail Studios opened its office in Charlottetown in November 2007.The company also maintains an office in Quebec City.